Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 24, 2026
08:10
Using Confocal Analysis of Xenopus laevis to Investigate Modulators of Wnt and Shh Morphogen Gradients
Published on: December 14, 2015
Sonic Hedgehog regulates Wnt activity during neural circuit formation
Nicole H Wilson1, Esther T Stoeckli
1Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Vitamins and Hormones
|March 7, 2012
Summary
Sonic hedgehog (Shh) and Wnt morphogens coordinate neural development. These signaling molecules regulate gene transcription and growth cone dynamics, crucial for forming neural circuits.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Secreted morphogens like Sonic hedgehog (Shh), Wnt, and TGFβ/Bmp are key regulators of early development.
- Emerging evidence highlights their conserved roles in later neural development.
- These morphogens can influence gene transcription or directly impact growth cone cytoskeletal organization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanisms of Shh signaling in neural development.
- To explore how Shh acts in concert with Wnt morphogens.
- To understand the cellular processes required for neural circuit formation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on Shh and Wnt signaling pathways.
- Analysis of Shh's diverse signaling mechanisms and coreceptor interactions.
- Examination of synergistic effects between Shh and Wnt in neural development.
Main Results:
- Shh signaling is context-dependent, activating distinct transduction pathways.
- Shh can act alone or, more commonly, in conjunction with other morphogens, especially Wnts.
- Coordinated Shh and Wnt signaling are essential for neural circuit assembly.
Conclusions:
- Shh and Wnt signaling pathways are critical for multiple stages of neural development.
- Understanding their interplay provides insights into neural circuit formation.
- These morphogens offer potential targets for therapeutic interventions in neurological disorders.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:33Hedgehog Signaling Pathway
The Hedgehog gene (Hh) was first discovered due to its control of the growth of disorganized, hair-like bristles phenotype in Drosophila, much like hedgehog spines. Hh plays a crucial role in the development of organs and the maintenance of homeostasis in both invertebrates and vertebrates. However, while Drosophila has only one Hh protein, mammals have multiple functional Hedgehog proteins - Sonic (Shh), Desert (Dhh), and Indian Hedgehog (Ihh). All of these homologous proteins have adapted to...
02:33Hedgehog Signaling Pathway
The Hedgehog gene (Hh) was first discovered due to its control of the growth of disorganized, hair-like bristles phenotype in Drosophila, much like hedgehog spines. Hh plays a crucial role in the development of organs and the maintenance of homeostasis in both invertebrates and vertebrates. However, while Drosophila has only one Hh protein, mammals have multiple functional Hedgehog proteins - Sonic (Shh), Desert (Dhh), and Indian Hedgehog (Ihh). All of these homologous proteins have adapted to...
01:41Non-Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathways
Wnt is a zygotic effect gene that is expressed during very early embryonic development. It regulates various processes in animals starting from early development through the adult stage, such as organogenesis in the embryo and maintenance of neuronal and blood stem cells. Wnt proteins can induce a wide variety of intracellular pathways depending upon the specific abilities of different Wnt ligands to form a complex with shared and cognate receptors in the presence of different co-receptors. The...
01:41Non-Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathways
Wnt is a zygotic effect gene that is expressed during very early embryonic development. It regulates various processes in animals starting from early development through the adult stage, such as organogenesis in the embryo and maintenance of neuronal and blood stem cells. Wnt proteins can induce a wide variety of intracellular pathways depending upon the specific abilities of different Wnt ligands to form a complex with shared and cognate receptors in the presence of different co-receptors. The...
02:54Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathway
The gene encoding the main signaling molecules of the Wnt signaling pathways (the Wnt proteins) was discovered almost four decades ago by Nüsslein-Volhard and Wieschaus. They identified and originally named the gene "wingless" (wg) after a phenotype discovered during their landmark genetic screen in Drosophila for body pattern defects. At around the same time, another researcher named Harold Varmus found that a murine tumor virus activates the mammalian wg homolog, Int-1, which results in tumor...
02:54Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathway
The gene encoding the main signaling molecules of the Wnt signaling pathways (the Wnt proteins) was discovered almost four decades ago by Nüsslein-Volhard and Wieschaus. They identified and originally named the gene "wingless" (wg) after a phenotype discovered during their landmark genetic screen in Drosophila for body pattern defects. At around the same time, another researcher named Harold Varmus found that a murine tumor virus activates the mammalian wg homolog, Int-1, which results in tumor...